Airship



Oct. l, 1929.. l v A BRADFORD 1,729,925v

AnsHIP Filed Aug. 6, 1928 A .3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ljatented=` ct. 1i, 192g UNITED STATES PArElSJT1 OFFICE' ALLEN BRADFORD, PORTLAND, OIEtl'TA'JrONl AIRSBIIII? Application mea August e, 192s. serial No. 297,709.

My invention relates to air ships of the lighter than air type and has for its primary object an air ship the upper inner body portion of which has a metal lining disposed :1o on its inner surface, and the outer or skin portion of which is covered with fabric to prevent skin friction in flight.

A further object of my invention consists in having tubes running longitudinally of the ship that are so connected with the outside of the body portion that the tubes may be insulated'from temperature leakage and that may be filled with cold air at higher altitudes and be maintained therein for cooling and refrigerating purposes, when the ship is returned to lower and warmer air levels.

Still further objects of my invention relates to methods of inflating the body portion and filling the same with relatively pure hydrogen gas and maintaining the same in a relatively pure condition free from air contamination.

A further object of my present improvements relates to a simplified construction wherein no frame work is disposed within the gas holding compartment and a gas holding compartment that is relatively free from bulkheads, partitions and the like.

And still further objects of my invention 35 consist in having compressor and exhausting elements wherein the lighter than air elements may be taken from the body portion of the ship and stored within tank compartments kdisposed within the ship and stored therein under pressure thereby lessening the lifting capacity of the ship when required and which may again be released and readmitted within the body portion for lift purposes. The

tanks may be., filled with compressed air and/ or compressed air when required to serve as ballast.

- And still further objects of my invention relate to the means provided for attaching the metallic shell to the supporting elements and for connecting the metallic shell and the fabric shell to the supporting elements with a vminimum amount of fastenings and in a manner that will maintain the joints in a tight and satisfactory working condition.

And still further objects of my` present invention reside in a f frame construction adapted for supporting they ship in a suspended condition during the inflating and deflating operation that will insure safety to the hull during such operations.

Still further objects reside in closures disposed at the forward end of the ship with remote controls for manipulating the same that willdpermit air to enter the tubes when desire With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims, and a preferred form ofembodiment of which is hereinafter shown with reference tothe drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the assembled ship with the skin portion partially broken away to illustrate the inner construction of the same.

Fig. 2 is a` fragmentary, longitudinal, cross section view of the lower portion of the ship. The same being taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, cross section view, taken on line SV-'Sfof Fig. 1,v looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross section view of the outer frame and lining construction of thefmidsection of the upper portion of the ship. rThe same being taken on line 4.-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view of the center-strakes of the outer frame structure. The same being taken at the horizontal line of the greatest diameter of the hull and running fore and aft therefrom at either side of the hull.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, cross section View of the frame structure, illustrating the filler and exhausting connection in side elevation that leads directly to the pressure and eX- hauster pumps.

Fig. 7 is a vertical, cross section view, taken on the center line of the ship, the same being taken When the contents of the hull has been completely exhausted and the lovver fabriclininghasbeen raised `completely as a resultof.thesexhausting operation. rIlhe eX- hausting of the contents of the holder insures l the same being filled With a pure supply of the lighter than air gas When thesam'e is' to be admitted.

Fig. 8 is a vertical, section view of one'of l stantially one-halffv ciricle'rand tol the.: inner portionriofan'dY connec.ting-theframes I place relatively thin1and1light metallic sheets. The `etl'giesofifthe: sheets beingvsecured to the frame elements: The outerxportionsofxthe frames are covered With a fabric covering to lessen their resistanceinof: the i ship'A andi to ren- -der the outer*coveringfrelatively smooth and freei.v from f' obj eetionable` proj ections..

Iike reference charactersreferfto like'parts throughout the severalvievvsi.

I3 forxrrtheE upperwportion of myI frame primarily of:` circumferential `ribs 1, that are ir spaced. relationship: with Y. eachr` other1 and spaced apart by metallic plates 2. Grooves 3 are formed Within the fsidelwalls'tlfyof `the ffii-ames 1; into Whichilianges-, disposedrupon the .edgesfof theplates 2.arema'de1-tolengage. Mn off-set 6 #being formediwithinthe' p'latefto form the engaging flange. Clampingrlbars Yf75are:disposedat either side of the ribv1` and `are *securedtoeaoh other and' to theffribs 5by .'thr'c-raded'fasteningsI 8v that" extend through the ribsrandithrough-the fasteningvbarsi The metallic` sheet 2ibeingf made of av relatively light and-thin=metah asaluminum; duraluminum and any other metallic compoundthat isfrelativ'ely light and strong. The inner Wall of'thefplate being madeto finish substantially flush-With thefinner surface of-the rib 1. Lon- .55'gitfudinal bars Q'fare disposed-into the outer surface-efftheribs 1, and arein spaced relationship-With each other. A fabric `sheeting 10'fisf placedupon the outer surface of the frame;4 thus formed, to limi-ty air friction caused'byfpropelling the ship through the air flating of the same occasioned by the filling of the ship body With the lighter than air elements used for affording buoyancy to the completed ship. Supporting rings 11 upvvardly extend from each of the central ribs to Which supporting elements are made to e11- gage for supporting the shipduriingthe conditioning. of. thel same. and. thefillmgi of the same for flight.

gil-der 21;-` rlhe Y lower edge; of.l the metallic lplates basa ila-nge22 clisposed'.from\ its loweredge caused'by-an oifeset- 23-formed within the plate and thecentral strake 2li/has a grocve disposed Within:itszupperusurL *face into which the l flange 22 of: thef plate: is made temugage. A fasteningibar. 261is` made toengage thelupp'er surface of the.` oli'iset' 23 of the `plate andfthe platev yissecuredfin-ipositien upon the hor ital strake by. any suitable -fastenilngi m L 27. 'Ilhehorixontal stralre 2ll-d-isfdisposed'at substantially the horizontal central line'. of

.11s, as bvy holding down bolts `a the `ship and Fruns substantially the full-length -off' the same.- andv is `seci'lred` tov the; frame membersE 1,' 'thus vforn'ujng.;theinnerupper;

bodywpcrtion of` the' frai'ney` of: af metallic crown. The bottom half of the innerportion Vof they ship' is `composed of fabric' 28' Which isy securedf to the" innerside eflthe /strake"241,

'by any suitable fasteningr means',` asaby av clampinfrbar 29. The lclamping 'bari 291being spacedf apart'ifrom vtheinner surface of the strale 24. and the fabric lining.1.28uis-plced therebetween. .as illustrated' in.v det'a'il iii' Fig.

5. i The fabiwiclining maybe-securely clamped byan'yv suitable fasteninguneans, .as by :fastening` boltsf 30s A.: promenade; decl; runs i longitudinally ,oil:ft.he ship structure `and is supported upon latticed` girdersi31, the` outer 'ends of" Whielr are' supported upon the structural depending. metallic frames `12.

Al premenatie deckmay be placed"` upon the latticedgirders 311. Runninglongitudinallyofthe" shipY and disposed: between the lat-tieed'y girders 20V and. 31; are a` plurality of fluid holding tanlrs32, here shew-n tirol in number-.,abhtsl dovnot` Wish to lbef llimited to i anyv specific number;

intereomniunieatiingfpipe system l33 connects the tanks vvfitlr suitable compressors 341 130 and pumping units andthe connection 3G leads into the. interior of the body portion of the ship from the pipe systems; the purpose and object ofxwhich is to pump fluids into and out of the gas chamber 37 of the ship. One or more passageways 38 are disposed at the upper surface of the ship and communicate with the gas holding chamber 37 to which-suitable exhausters may be attached.

vINhen it is desired to lill the chamber 37 with-the lighter `than air gas, as hydrogen, it is highly desirable for safety reasons and other reasons that the hydrogen remain in a substantially pure state and by the exhausting of the chamber 37 through the connecting passageways 38, the inner fabric lining 28 of the ship will be drawn upward and into thedome like space disposed within the ribs until the `same may be substantially and completely exhausted of air, after which the hydrogen gas in a substantially pure state will be admitted into and between the lining of the ship and the gas bag disposed therein be reinflated with substantially a pure supply of lifting gas, as hydrogen.

The control bridge of the ship is shown at 39 in Fig. 1, into which the motor controls and other manipulative elements are assembled. The quarters for passengers and crew are disposed at the bottom of the body member of the ship and are depending from the structural frames 12 and the latticed girder 21. The same being supported by any suitable structural side wall members 40 and 41. Openings 42 are disposed at either side for -observation and Ventilating purposes. I have here shown the ship as having four Vprime movers, one each being mounted at the stern of the ship, and one each being mounted on the forward end of the ship, with one pair on each side. Cross supporting girders 43 eX- tend outwardly from the side walls 40 and 41 and supporting trusses 44 and 45 support the girders 43 upon the structural metallic transverse frames 12. A prime mover is mounted at the outer end of each of the supporting girders 43, as illustrated at 46 and 47 in Fig. 3. Suitable starting and lifting rudders are disposed at desirable locations upon the ship. In order that the tanks into which the lighter than air gas may be stored and/or air to be taken from the colder strata for refrigerating purposes, I build an insulated boX like closure having back and end walls of insulated material, as shown at 48 and 49 into which the tanks are disposed. Hinged closures 50 and 51 are disposed at the forward end of the ship, the same being hingedly supported at their forward ends, as shown at 52 and 53 and each of which is manipulated by a positioning cam 54 with suitable control means being attached thereto and leading to the bridge deck, no particular claim being made for any specic manipulative elements.

The openings created by the movement of the wings 5() and 51 permit of the passageof the air through the tunnel 55 and through opening 56 directly into the insulated chamber 57 in which the storage tanks 32 are located. The purpose of placing the tanks 32 in the insulated chamber 57 is to aid in the refrigeration of the air and to aid in keeping the air in a refrigerated condition within the tanks. The storage tanks have an upper metallic wall 58, as `illustrated in detail in Fig. 8, and have the lowery half of fabric material so that as the content-s of the tanks are eX- hausted through the outlet opening 60 the lower fabric portion will be drawn upward until it assumes the position, as shown in dotted line. The readmittance of the buoyant Huid, or the admittance of air thereinto will entirely lill the tank and the fabric lining 59 would be restored to normal position. Suitable connections are made at the meeting edges of the lining 58 and of the fabric 59, as shown at 61 and 62 the same may be made substantially as described for the meeting edges of the fabric 28 with that of the central horizontal strake 24.

" LWhile the form of mechanism herein shown andk described,`is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of ribs in spaced relation downwardly extending from the top of the ship to substantially the horizontal medial line of the ship body, aluminum alloy plates disposed between the ribs and secured to the side walls thereof to form a metal lined dome within the upper half portion of the inner body member, structural metallic transverse frames downwardly extending from the ribs and secured thereto, a central strake running longitudinallyof the ship and secured to the ribs thereof, the lower edge of the metallic inner lining terminating at the central strake and secured thereto, and a fabric inner lining for the lower portion of the hull and secured to the central strake to form a gas holding bag forl the lower portion of the hull.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an air ship frame of the lighter thanv air type, consisting` of upper ribs maintained in spaced relation through metal plates disposed therebetween and secured to the walls of the ribs, structural metallic transverse lframes depending from the ribs and secured thereto, latticed girders forming the floor supports running transversely` of the ship and secured to the 'transveise:^.fframes`, and.. central longitudinal stralie'er-unning entirely around.` the; ship ,bodyl and (secured :to the ribs and a i'abric :gas-hold ingbagi secured to: theav central strake: and forming. anlining4 for thelower portionfofi tliezshiplbody. 'l l 3; In a` device of theclass describedgthef combination in the 'ramefof a. lighter than airiftype, of spaced ribs.forming` the upper haltl ot1 the framerstructure,.aluminum alloy; plates: dis-posed" betweeni the' ribs y on? their innerside walls andsecuredithereto 'Ormingi liningsfor the upper half-ofthe innert` walls ofv theehull, 'substantially horizontal longggitudin ali barsxdisposedthe outer surface oflth'efribs structural metallic,` transverse. frames dem pendinm from.; the'- ribs, :cross latticedA braces connecting; the lower ends ofy the` transverse`- framey members and-` gasy holding fabric lining for the: lowerv halfoi'pthe innen frameandrl securedl to i tlief frame elements at sub# stantially Va longitudinal medial line and an outeriabric coveringffr lthe frame elements;

L,L..InV af device ot the class describcdythe combinationoff affra'me-formed oil ribsspaced apart, transverse frames depending from the ribs and( cross latticed g braces securedi to ythe c lower endsofiy the vtransverse frame members,

aluminum alloyplates connecting vthe ribs their: inner Walls and. longitudinal, bars dis posed inV spacedrelation upon ther ribs and forming-the outer skin=support of the-hull.

5.1 Ina deviceofl thefclassdescribed, the combination of? a. frame comprisingribs spaced apart by metallic sheets formingthe inner lining of the upper-half of the hull, substantially horizontal' bars ydisposed in spaced rela-tion and' running longitudinally` Oil the ship4 to forman outer skin. support, metallic structural transverse frames de-` pending from the ribsand securedthereto,.a gas holdingbag 'of fabric ormingthe lower' half' lining of the hull and secured at itsupper edge to a centralistrale running entirely around thev ship: and securedto the framethereof.

6 In` ai device-01": the class-described, vthe combination ofy a structural Jframe comprising ribs', transverse trames depending from the ribs and secured thereto and cross latticed braces `formed in pairsand spaced apart; metallic sheets secured to the inner upper hal-t of the frame to form` a gasI holding conn,

partment and togive strengthI and rigidity` to the iframe, horizontal bars spaced apart and secured to theouter surface of the vframe elements,A a fabric gas holdingy bag disposed on the innerl lower half of the frame and secured thereto and tothemetallic plates t0` lic lined on itsinner upper half and. being'^ fabric lined on its innerilowerhalf,l said lfabric.

lining ybeing securedto theframe. on its upper:

edgesrat a point` substantially on theflongitudinal medial. lineaof'the iframe and a fabric outer f covering; for the frameL elements.

8.'. In: a device of"V the class described, the

combination ofsaiframed structure composedoi a ribbed: frameffastening elements main-r 9 In a device of;` the classdescribedathe-J combination in a i lighter: than: ain i ship. i frame: composed'fof fabricated 4ribs downwardly eX- tending to substantially thelongitudinal cen; tralline of the ship frame, grooves'dispo'sed within the sidewalls on the frame'. elements, inner metallic liningi elementshaving flanges terminatingat the :vertical edges onthesheets,= said fianges` adapted for engagement' within the grooves oi'` the fframwele'ments; .clamping bars adapted ior' engagement with@ oit-'sets disposed adj acent-` the -flanges lof; thevmetallicl linings, and common fastenings` for the clamping; bars, the metallic.:` sheets.: and: the;

X03 In a device of.: they:classfdescribed;,theA

eembin ation in a'lightcrthans airship" frame; compri sin g; ribs,I grooves disposed i withinrtlie f side walls -of theribs,.aluminunnalloy Ysheets with flanges; -for engagement withim the grooves voi'ithe rib elements, clampingbars-or sai d sheets yrelative; to -the\ribs,i fastening 'elee ments for said clamping fbars, andr a :horizons tal central straks disposed on the-lowerrendiof the rib elementsand. means, for' looli'ng,r the sheets relative tofthecentml strake;l

LL In. fa deviceofi the. classdescribed; ,the combination in al lighter4 than) ain' airship frame, of substantially;vertical ribs spaced aparton their innerfsurfaceby, thin andfrelatively light metallic sheets, and' held together byicommon fastenings relativeI 'to the. sheets andthe ribs` and substantially horizontal longitudinalbarsin:spaced: relation disposed upon the outen surifaceof .the rib-elements and supportingfelcments*upwardly extending from-leachiof `the ribs;` 1 V l2; Inf a. dev-iceI ot the` class described, the combination`- ofi a; lighter thanf airf airship,:..an insulated compartment minningflcngitndinali ly. ofy thefship,` storage tanks disposedf'with'in the i insulated compartments' ands means for.

admitting air intotliejnsnlatedscompartment While the ship'is 4iin flighu` f y 1? In adeviceof tlieclass; describedVthe combination Iin a lighterthanLairairsliipf lhav.-r ingfan insulated compartment 'runninglon'gi tudinally rofl. .the ship., communieatiiig;. slee.

ments for admitting air into the compartment While in flight, storage tanks disposed Within the compartment and means for pumping lifting gas from the gas holder of the ship into the tanks and for pumping lifting gas from the tanks into the gas holder.

ALLEN BRADFORD. 

